Tag Archives: Reid Bateh

BAMBARA: Birthmarks

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I’ve said it many times before, but there’s nothing better than writing about a band you love and their new record. Bambara are one of the best bands around, that we know. But just how great is record number five, Birthmarks? In short, it’s the best thing they have ever done. And this is coming from someone who is still very much attached to Shadow On Everything. In fact, I’m probably still very much attached to all their records. Birthmarks stands out immediately.

The record opens with Hiss, and what I’ve noticed with not just this record- but every Bambara record, is that it feels like a film. A film that is dark, twisted and beautifully tortured. I think that just shows how exceptional they are as musicians and writers. They create this atmosphere that sucks you in; regardless of where you start with their music, it’s a feeling that gets you right away. They could easily do a soundtrack for a film or three- no problem. There’s this brilliantly perverse feeling throughout Letters From Sing Sing, and it’s truly the band at their best. I’ve read many reviews on the band where they are compared to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, which I totally get but there’s something more here. Sure, compare this record to Kicking Against The Pricks or Let Love In, but leave it at that. Reid’s vocals here have never sounded so strong and the way you can hear him sing through gritted teeth on Face Of Love is just divine. The man has a voice of an angel.

There’s a lot of storytelling on this record, which is typical of Bambara and it’s only a positive thing. The mention of Elena and the one-eyed man means having those familiar characters right away makes you feel safe with this record, but part of you is always on edge. You feel like you’re on the edge of something about to happen, and happen it does. The first single from the record, Pray To Me is the perfect way to win new fans over and get us old ones excited for the record. Everything you love about Bambara comes to a head on this song, and it was such a strong choice for the first single. Any song could have been the lead, but when I heard it a few months ago- I just knew in my gut that Birthmarks was going to end up being the best thing they had done to date.

Something that is constant throughout the record (and all their records) is the influence of Southern Gothic themes and you can hear the influence New York has had on them. You can really feel the influence of David Lynch and Nick Cave amongst others on this record and that’s a constant on all their records, but there’s something else there. Something I can’t quite put into words. The whole record is a joy to listen to and as a fan, it was love at first listen. I cannot wait for the tour next month because they are truly, truly one of the best bands I’ve ever seen live.

With Reid’s gnarly and gritty vocals, it is beautifully matched at times with vocals from Emma Acs (Crack Cloud), Bria Salmena, and Madeline Johnston (Midwife.) Sax is also provided by Jeff Tobias (A. Savage) and haunting harp tones are provided by Marilu Donavon (LEYA.) Blaze yet again annihilates the drums and of course, William provides impeccable slick tones on the bass, synth and piano. Let it be known, this band know EXACTLY what they are doing and how they want to sound. For me, the song that shows just how strong this record is, is Smoke. There’s something about this song that just ties the whole record together, and you feel like you’re no longer on edge. It’s possibly the most calming song on the record and lyrically, it might be my favourite. I am absolutely likely to change my mind in a weeks’ time, but my god this song is Bambara at their finest. The whole record is the band at their very best. They’ve never made a bad record, I don’t think they could even if they tried. I just really, really love this band. You know when you find a band that make everything click? Bambara (and Crows) are the band that do that for me. If I was religious, I’d compare this all to a religious experience.

The record ends with Loretta. Whatever I say about this, doesn’t do the song justice. There’s a heaviness to it that is just a touch more noticeable here than on other songs and the imagery in the lyrics? My god. That’s the thing with Bambara, and it always will be- the lyrics. The lyrics feel like every Henry Miller book I’ve read to death. There’s this darkness, this smuttiness, and chilling tones to it all that just connects. I don’t want to hear typical love songs about sunshine, rainbows and all that sickly stuff. Keep it away. I want dark and meaningful words that actually grip you and are relatable.  Inject it into my veins and leave me listening to this record on a loop. Thank you.

You feel as you take in Reid’s words as he sings at you, that you’re in the midst of a sermon. Well, if Bambara are a cult- sign me up. You cling onto every word, every note. Everything. This is a record that was made to consume the listener. It was made to be soaked up and clung onto with all you have. It’s a record that in 5, 10 years I’ll still feel exactly the same about. It’s perfect in every single way.

Music, like all great art forms, should move you. You should feel something powerful and sacred only to you. That’s what Bambara have done yet again; it’s what they do and will always do. Every single song on the record feels like a short story. A dark and gripping short story, and I reckon it will truly come alive in a live setting. I’m so excited for this record to be released on Friday and I’m so excited for the tour next month. They’ve created something so classy here and so memorable. I just know that in many years to come, this will be one record I play and I feel like I’m hearing it for the first time. That’s when you know you’ve found something very special.

BAMBARA: Pray To Me.

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That feeling of a band you absolutely love and adore putting new music out never ever gets old. Last week Bambara announced a UK/EU tour for April 2025, and I cannot wait to see them again. They’re one of those bands that when you see them live, they change EVERYTHING. They become a band that you don’t just see once and that’s enough. They’re a band that you have to see, no matter what. They put on a show that goes beyond being put into words- you HAVE to witness it. You HAVE to be in that moment. It is the most euphoric thing and you never want it to end. I cannot liken it to anything else.

And with a tour comes a new record, and a new song to lure us all back in. We never went anywhere, we’ve been waiting for this for so long. They’re back with a new song called Pray To Me which is 3 and a half minutes of heaven. It’s Bambara at their very best, and of course that happens with everything they do. They’re a band that get better every single time, and how on earth can they top anything else they’ve ever done? They’re a criminally underrated band for sure. Reid has one of the most calming voices I’ve ever heard. You could be having a really tough day, and the second you start playing a Bambara song, it all feels okay. The lyrics are dark and unholy, and that’s why I love them. I love how dark, poetic and twisted the lyrics are. Reid could easily write a novel with these lyrics. Not a poetry book- I’m talking a super eerie novel that messes with your heard, and you cannot help but go back to it. Think Tony O’Neill, Arthur Nersessian – the good stuff. Pray To Me is violent and haunting; there’s no way you can get enough of it.

The video fits the mood of the song perfectly. The close up of Reid’s face as he recites these beautiful and chilling words to the camera- this band couldn’t be any more perfect if they tried. If you go back and listen to every song in full, you’ll hear just how their sound has developed and gotten firmer. They have such a distinctive sound, and it’s one that may scare the listener a little bit but there’s the dark romanticism in the songs that make them so divine. We don’t need those boring and artificially sweet love songs. Give me the dark and eerie ones. They make more sense.

Bambara will be releasing the record via Bella Union (what a sign!) and the tickets for tour go on sale tomorrow. Everything you need is here: https://www.bambaranyc.com/tour

The new record, Birthmarks is out 14th March, and you can pre-order the best record of 2025 here: https://bellaunion.com/products/bambara-birthmarks

BAMBARA: Love On My Mind.

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Before I get into how remarkable this record; I just want to touch on how I nearly missed out on tickets for their UK tour. Fortunately, the venue for Manchester got upgraded to Gorilla so I managed to get a ticket. No one should miss out on seeing this band live, so do the right thing and grab a ticket from here: https://www.seetickets.com/tour/bambara (also use Twickets if any have sold out!)

Right, the record.

There’s no set way to describe the sound and style of Bambara that does them justice. Nothing and no one can define them- they are THAT good. ‘Good’ isn’t even strong enough a word to use. Can you tell that I love this band a hell of a lot? I love how their music feels like a Henry Miller novel brought to life. I love the seediness in the songs. I love the poetry. I love the romanticism. I love the way the songs sound. I love how Reid’s voice can sound like a snarl but gentle at the same time. Everything about this new release just oozes perfection. I’m obsessed with every single song. If you don’t get goose bumps from this record, then turn the volume up a bit more!

Feelin’ Like A Funeral is a masterpiece (every song is but this one right now sticks out) and you find yourself going back to it, over and over. Just to really pick up on how stunning the lyrics are. You want to live in the world they have created with this song. In fact, you’ll pretty much feel that way when you listen to all of their songs. You’ll feel like you’ve been downing really strong whisky in a dive bar and you then stumble into the night, with no set place to go. The songs will echo in your brain and you won’t feel alone. Or, you could just stick your headphones on and see where your mind takes you.

The record ends on the euphoric Little Wars. The last minute or so of this song is divine. It becomes heavier and heavier (sound wise) but the vocals add this beautiful softness. It is such a glorious way to end the record and it’s no surprise that you’ll end up playing the record all over again. This mini LP is just a joy to listen to. The lyrics are more personal than on their previous records and that’s just one of the many reasons to not just love this record, but the band. They constantly evolve. The song writing is just a stroke of genius, as always.

What I adore about Bambara is that you simply cannot put their sound next to someone else’s. It is a completely different and unique sound, and I know that is so cliched and bloody typical, but there’s really no other band around that are like them. That’s what makes the band a real joy to listen to; with every listen it is like you are discovering them for the first time. I love the heaviness in their sound and I love the occasional gentleness in the vocals. Put that together and you get a really exciting band. For me, this is the band at their absolute best and of course like any great band- they leave you wanting more and more.

Love On My Mind may only consist of 6 songs, but it is the perfect step into what we’ll get next from them. But before all that, it just makes you so excited for the tour that’s coming up. These songs are going to absolutely rip live. Can you imagine hearing Point And Shoot, and Feelin’ Like A Funeral live? Holy shit!

BAMBARA: Stray.

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My love for Bambara is something else. I practically live in my Bambara shirt, and I still think about their show from last year at the Soup Kitchen. I had no expectations from what I was going to witness, but I knew that from their records I was going to witness something that would blow my mind.

 Stray was released on Valentine’s Day- the perfect date for this record. Stray is made up of dark, deathly and romantic songs that totally justify my belief that Reid Bateh is one of the best songwriters around. For me he possesses that same genius that Nick Cave has. A fearless approach with unconventional romantic tones. Think Rimbaud, think Baudelaire and mix it with William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg- then you’ll get it. My point is this- Reid is an exceptional writer, and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if one day, he writes a novel and that novel gets turned into a film with the band creating the score for it. Can you imagine?! It would be insane.

 

 

 

There’s a fair amount of references to death on this record, and you know, it’s something we cannot avoid at all. My enjoyment for things has dipped a bit since losing my Grandma in August, but I’ve found comfort in music. Bambara have reinforced everything I love about music on this record. They just nail everything I love about dark music that is unafraid to expose the things that we try to shy away from. Everything from the production to the order the songs are in on this record is so carefully done, and you can truly hear the growth in the band on Stray. If you’ve seen them live, you’ll know exactly how intense their shows are. Reid is one of the most captivating front men I’ve ever seen. Blaze is up there as one of my favourite drummers of all time and William is so effortlessly laid-back and cool. You wish you could do what each of them do, and not only do they have this presence live but they also have it on record. Stray shows us all why they are one of, if not THE most vital band around.

 I can’t possibly pick a favourite song on this record; it’s one of those records that you go back to and with every listen, something else just blows your mind. The record is like one euphoric story that builds and builds. I adore the intense sounds on this record and maybe it has this feel due to Reid and Blaze being twins and having this bond but with William he adds this feel to the band that sort of calms the storm slightly. The way Blaze annihilates the drums and how Reid has this snarl-like feel to his vocals is beautifully wrapped up in how soothing William unleashes his inspiring bass playing, and beyond. All three of them are exceptional musicians, and for me, they do justify this on all of their records, but Stray takes you some place else. It’s another world, and a world you never ever want to escape from. It is such a comforting and powerful record, and the production is out of this world.

 Ben & Lily is a prime example of Reid’s songwriting, and how brilliant it is. The way the song flows reminds me a bit of The Bad Seeds’ Thirsty Dog. It also sounds like something you’d hear in an old cowboy film- it’s got a great Spaghetti Western feel to it. Play it loud, and maybe have it on repeat for your next few listens. It feels like a short story, but one you don’t want to end. I just adore the places that Bambara take you and how they can just take you on this ride with them; their music is so soothing and comforting. To others maybe it is too ferocious, but that’s where I find comfort the most.

 There is one part of the record from one song in particular that I keep getting drawn to. This is taken from Made For Me: “Lit cigarettes will rain. On a field where horses roam untamed. See you running with them through the flames. Wild flowers in their manes as you lead the stampede my way.” There is something about this that just hits me in the gut. I mean the whole song does, but this part really hits me. I don’t know why, but it’s just so powerful and beautiful. However, if you’re looking for a song to truly break your heart- then listen to Sweat and I mean REALLY listen to it. It’s fucking brutal, and really heavy.

 

 

 

Stray is magnificent, but what else do you expect from a band as powerful as Bambara? Stray is probably going to end up being my most played record of the year. I cannot get enough of it, nor do I want to. I’m happy to have this record on repeat for the foreseeable now. I felt this way about Shadow On Everything, and they’ve done it again with Stray. I feel I could write about this record forever, and ever. Until words become pointless and no longer carry any meaning. An absolute honour to listen to.

 

BAMBARA: Soup Kitchen, Manchester 22nd October 2019.

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I went to this show as someone who casually listened to Bambara; I left as someone who is now obsessed and in awe of what I witnessed in a room that should have been packed.

I think the best way to describe a Bambara show is wonderfully loud and chaotic. As soon as they ripped into their set, I immediately felt like I was watching The Birthday Party for the first time. They have the same raucous sound that is all over the place in the best way possible. I don’t want my music to sound polished or perfect- I want it to be noisy, all over the place and powerful. I got all of that and more from Bambara’s set. They put their absolute everything into their performance, and honestly, Reid Bateh is quite possibly one of the best performers I’ve ever seen. He absolutely puts all he has into the songs, and in a live setting you can truly see just how much this means to him. It’s like he has to get THIS out. I don’t know what “THIS” is exactly, and maybe it’s something we all have in us, but he gets it out in a way that is beautifully enthralling and terrifying at the same time.

Bambara aren’t a band for those wanting roses and sunshine. They are a band for those seeking something to cling to. They’ve toured with two bands that own my heart- IDLES and METZ. Imagine seeing that! It’d be like witnessing something so sacred, and spiritual. I had a great spot at this show, and maybe it was because it wasn’t sold out. It should have been sold out by the way. I could see everything, and I was so fascinated with drummer, Blaze. His style reminded me so much of one of my favourite drummers- Alex Robins. I loved that Blaze’s stage attire was shorts and cowboy boots- if that doesn’t define cool, then I don’t know what does. His style of drumming is intense and captivating. He’s the kind of drummer that a kid would watch and think, “I want to do that.” He made a 32 year old feel that way (me, by the way.) I love how the band all have this sense of solidarity when they play. It feels like a brotherhood (obviously that’s the case with Reid and Blaze!) and this tight sound they have just makes you completely hooked on every sound they make, and every word that Reid sings.

 

 

Songs like José Tries to Leave, and brand new song Serafina (which I think they had only played once before maybe?) were just magnificent to watch. With this possibly being the second time they performed Serafina, they nailed it perfectly. I love how Reid thrashing the microphone wire like an out of control lion-tamer, and he definitely reminds you of a very young Nick Cave when he was in The Birthday Party. This was probably one of the loudest shows I’ve been to at the Soup Kitchen- it wasn’t as loud as the times I saw The Jesus And Mary Chain (I couldn’t hear properly for 2 days, but I was stood right by the speaker so…it was to be expected!) Although the venue wasn’t packed, but to be honest sometimes it doesn’t matter you know. Sometimes it can feel like the whole world is there, and Bambara definitely made you feel that way. At times it felt intrusive as you witnessed them leave their absolute everything on stage, but bands that do this just have my complete respect. To be that open on stage is something to really appreciate and admire for sure.

I love how bassist, William completely lets go on stage. Sometimes you see bass players who are holding back and seem to be teetering on letting go, but William is unafraid and just makes you wish you were as cool as him. Bryan and Sammy are INCREDIBLE guitarists; they could easily have blown the amps with how loud they were, and take that with how grand Blaze’s drumming is- then you get the general idea of how wild and loud this show was.

There was something about this show that at the end, I felt like I had got what I needed. I felt some kind of release. I’m not sure what of. I mean today is 2 months since my Grandma died and I’m ready to go back to bed and spend the day crying. But last night, that gig gave me that feeling that you get from your favourite band. It was truly special for so many reasons. I urge you to see Bambara whenever and wherever you can. It’s not just a show, it’s an experience. An experience that will stay on your mind until the next time. Over and over.

 

 

Their set ended on Monument, and it was such a high to end on. Of course you wanted more, and you just wanted them to carry on for an eternity but this was just one of the most mesmerising shows I’ve ever been to. Bambara have been around for some time now, and these New York heroes are a band to become majorly obsessed with.

This was my first time seeing the band, and I definitely hope it won’t be my last. Their new record, Stray will be out in February. It’s their fourth record and I reckon it might just be their heaviest to date. I cannot wait to hear it, and can probably call it as one of 2020’s finest records.